Graves disease is the most common cause, but surgery, I-131 radiation therapy, DKA (diabetic ketoacidosis), trauma, and pregnancy-related toxemia can also cause the condition.

As I stated before, thyroid storm is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY. If you suspect you are experiencing thyroid storm, please see medical help immediately!

Steven asks…

Thyroid storm?

What do you guys know about a thyroidstorm. Can it occur if a hypothyroid person stops taking their thyroid medication (ie synthroid)? Or does only occur when there is too much thyroid hormone in the body?
thanks

Author answers:

No, a hypothyroid person can’t have a thyroid storm. A thyroid storm is a result of a flood of thyroid hormones, way more than normal hyperthyroidism. By definition, if you are having a thyroid storm, you are hyperthyroid at the time. Stopping synthroid will lower your thyroid hormones, not raise them , let alone to the levels that will cause a thyroid storm.

A thyroid storm can result from untreated hyperthyroidism, or by radioactive iodine ablation of the thyroid, just to name a few.

A thyroid storm is a true emergency. It is deadly, and you need to get to the ER immediately.

Michael asks…

Thyroid Storm??

I’m a medical doctor, and have just diagnosed a 43 year old woman as having a thyroidstorm. Multiy organ failure followed. Ant other Doctors out there seen this?

Author answers:

Only one in over 25+ years, and it wasn’t one of those biggies. The things I remember most are that the staff thought I was nuts treating before I had labs, and knew I was crazy for giving propanolol to a patient in uncompensated heart failure. Sounds like you have an ugly one. Good luck.